Tiffany’s energetic voice filled the studio. I’m currently watching a scene of Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany and SISTAR’s Bora’s friendship. With bright and healthy appearances, they took selcas making funny facial expressions on purpose and gave each other tips regarding what kind of clothes suit one another without hesitation. While continuing their petty, everyday occurrences that reminded me of the chats I have with friends, Tiffany, who has particularly white skin, would laugh loudly, saying, ‘We’re like cookies and cream, being together with tan-skinned Bora’, and Bora would simply agreed. This was like the natural sense of closeness between two children, different from friendship, packed with charming actions of excessive compliments that’s commonly seen on television. It’s not easy for a member of one of the top idol groups, amidst the overflowing amount of girl groups, to do a magazine photoshoot with another group’s member. It seems the management companies ‘consenting’ to this was only possible because they are ‘Tiffany’ and ‘Bora’.

Like an empty friendship, it’s not easy for people who simply know each other through work to appear so smooth. Becoming friends with someone met through everyday life requires absolute timing or careful efforts. The two’s history is short but strong, and more than anything, it’s natural. It was to the point where Hyoyeon and Sunny noticed Bora was Tiffany’s ‘match’ upon first glance while filming the variety show ‘Invincible Youth 2′ and introduced them to each other. Tiffany replied to the question of how they were able to create a friendship, rather than having a sense of rivalry, through sharing their experience in girl groups.

Tiffany: I think it’s because she came and met me now. I’m in my 7th year, and Bora’s in her 3rd. If it was me four years ago, I don’t think we could have gotten this close. Early during my debut days, I wouldn’t greet rival groups well and was cold. Now though, that friend and I laugh and say, ‘We were like that back then!’ (laughs) Normally, when girls record something together, there’s a peculiar war of nerves, wanting to look prettier. But, you saw us earlier, right?